Light signal



Dec.8, 1931. 0.5. FIELD I 1,835,150

LIGHT SIGNAL Filed Aug. 10, 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

O. S. FIELD LIGHT SIGNAL Dec. 8, 1931.

Filed Aug. 10, 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet n2 95 H1 H0 Ill I25 I N V EN TOR. \WXW Dec. 8, 1931. s, 1,835,150

LIGHT SIGNAL v Filed Aug. 10, 1926 3 Sheets$heet 3 IN VEN TOR.

Patented Dec. 8, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE OSCAR S. FIELD, OF ALBANY, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL RAILWAY SIGNAL COMPANY, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK LIGHT SIGN AL Application filed August 10, 1826. Serial No. 128,437.

This invention relates to new improvements in light signalling apparatus.

()ne object is to provide a signal which is extremely compact and which has a high degree of accessibility to its operating parts. A further object is to provide an operating means for the signal which will have a minimum possibility of mechanical sticking, together with the characteristic of being readily inspected at any time without completely taking the mechanism apart. A further object is to provide a signal which is of unit construction whereby variousparts may be replaced or exchanged as may be necessary, thereby readily facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus. VV'ith these and other objects in view as may be more readily apparent from the following specification and appended claims. I will now proceed to describe one embodiment of my invention. In the drawings Figure 1 is a cross section through a mechanism according to this invention. Figure 2 is a transverse section through the mechanism. Figure 3 is an isometric projection of the iron structure employed in the mechanism showing both the field structure and armature structure. Figure 4 is a detail of the bell crank adjustment.

The basic principle of the signal, which comprises the utilization of a source of light together with means for concentrating said source through a second focal point, passing this light through a screen through this Tocal point and then projecting the same from a lens, is old in the art. The present invention consists more particularly of improved methods of construction and combination of the apparatus rather than in. the basic light pro' ection idea.

l ie optical principle above referred to in this embodiment comprises a source of light 1 in combination with an elliptical reflector 2 which adapted to collect and concentrate the rays from the source of light 1 to a focal point 2%. .At this focal point colored spectacles or other screens l are movably mounted and have the effect of changing the color or beam characteristic in accordance with the particular screen then intercepting the beam. The

.with the core 76.

beam then diverges to cover a lens which is adapted to project the rays in a substantially parallel beam. In the present embodiment of the invention the source of light 1 and redoctor 2 are carried in a holder 7 which is mounted in the cover 8 of the mechanism case 9, thereby making this part of the signal rcmovable with the mechanism.

The interior mechanism comprises a mechanism case 9 equipped with a suitable cover 8 mounted thereon by means of screws 68. The mechanism proper comprises a three position motor element having a polarizing field structure together with a movable armature. The field structure consists of two pole pieces or pole shoes 69 and 70, made of suitable flux conductive material. These pole shoes are connected together by means of a core 71 adapted to pass through apertures 72 in the pole shoes 69 and 70, and being provided with a taper thread and plug 73 at either end. The ends are suitably split as indicated at 74. whereby upon tightening of the taper plugs 73 the ends of the core will be expanded to tightly fit the holes 72. Upon the core 71 a suitable field excitation winding 75 is provided. From the above description it will be apparent that upon energization of the coil 75, the pole shoes will assume opposite polarities. This constitutes the field structure of the mechanism.

The armature structure consists ot a suitable core 7 6 preferably made of Norway iron and equipped with polar vanes 77 and 78 respectively adapted to coact with the pole shoes 69 and 70. These vanes are mounted on the core 76 by means of clamping nuts 78a. The core 7 6 is provided with a suitable energizing winding 79 which is carried in a bakelite shell 80 adapted to insulate the coil and to properly support it in such a manner that it will not come into physical contact The method of support of the bakelite shell 80 is by means of suitable lugs 81 formed on the baltelite shell and adapted to be carried in the notches 82 formed in the pole shoes 69 and 70.

In order to properly support the armature structure front and rear bracket castings 83 and 84 are provided. These brackets are mounted on the pole shoes 69 and 70 by means of suitable studs 85 and clamping nuts 86, said studs, passing through the brackets 83 and 84 and the holes 87 in the pole shoes 69 and 70. In order to compensate for slight variations in manufacture deformed washers 88 of suitable spring material are placed on the studs between the pole shoes and the rear bracket 84 thereby taking up any variation in these parts. The rear bracket 84 also forms the supportin bracket for the mechanism in the case an for this purpose is provided with extending lugs 89 through which screws 90 pass into the case 9. The bracket 84 is suitably insulated from the case 9 by means of insulating bushings 91 and washers 92.

At either end of the core 76 shaft exten sions 93 and 94 are provided, having properly turned ends 95 and 96 adapted to roll in ball bearings 97 and 98. The shaft ends 95 and 96 respectively are adapted to roll directly on theballs 99 and the end thrust is taken between the balls 99 and the shoulders 100. The bearings are adapted to be held in the brackets 83 and 84 by means of suitable lock.- in screws 101 which are equipped ,with an en arged head forming shoulders 102 adapted to engage with the raceway element 103 of the ball bearing, thereby locking this element to its respective bracket. The rear end 104 of the bearing is held in (place by means of locking nuts 105 adapte to be threaded on the large section 106 of the screws 101.- This construction allows for the removal of memher 104 from the hearing at any time so that the bearing may be inspected for wear and cleanliness. The olar vane 78 is equipped with the spectac e carrying member 107 adapted to carry spectacles 4 suitably mounted thereon by means of spring cli s 108 and coacting cli s 109. These spectac es can be 4 so that it will be coincident with the axis of the light beam when the mechanismis in the deenergized or neutral position.

The front end of the armature structure is provided with a roller carrying member 110 suitably mounted on polar vane 77 by means g of rivets 111; This member is equipped with suitable hardened rollers 112 carried at the extremities of miniature bell cranks 113 which in their turn are pivoted at 114 to the member 110. The purpose of the bell cranks 113 is to provide means whereby the distance between the centers of the rollers 112 and the center of the axis of rotation of the armanaaareo ture structure may be slightly varied, thereby giving some adjustment to the mechanism. The bell cranks, after being properly set are locked in place by means of a locking screw 115. In order to prevent excessive adjustment being made at this point extending ears 116 are provided on the bell cranks 113 which are adapted to engage the locking screw 115 and thereby limit .the motion of the crank. The motion of the crank is limited in the reverse direction by the shaft member 93.

Coacting with the rollers 112 counter weights 117 and 118 are provided. Thesev counter weights are hinged at 119 and 120 in front bracket casting 83 and are provided with extending ears 121 and 122 adapted to engage with the rollers 112. In order to properly centralize the mechanism adjustable stop screws 123 are provided in the front bracket casting 83 in such a location that they are adapted to engage with the underside of the counter-weights 117 and 118 and thereby limit or modify the length of movement of the counter weights. By means of this adjustment 1 the mechanism may be caused to properly center, bringing the central spectacle giving the red indication in coincidence with the light beam, due to the gravitational efiect of the weights 117 and 118 acting upon the rollers 112. The armature assembly is further provided with a counter weight 110a which is adapted to compensate for the weight of the spectacles 4 and spectacle carrying member 107 and to cause a slight bias of the armature assembly to the neutral or deenergized position as shown in the figures. In order to properly limit the movementofthe" armature in either direction so that the "other spectacles may properly coincide with the light-axis upon energization of the mechanism, adjustable stops 1% are provided. These are adaptedtoh engage with extending ears 125 on the memher 110 of the armature assembly. In order to absorb any tendency of the armature assembly to rebound from the stops 124 when the mechanism is energized a fly Wheel 9411 is loosely mounted upon the shaft extension94 and is adapted to be held in frictional engagement with shoulder 95a by means of a com ression spring 96a. This spring is held in ace on shaft extension 94 by means of a col ar 97a pinned to said shaft. When the ear 125 on the armature assembly strikes the stop 124 the fly wheel 94 will slip slightly and thereby absorb the-energy of rebound.

The under side of the counter weights 117 and 118 may be suitably provided with insulating buttons 126 adapted to carry contact fingers 127. These contact fingers are so arranged that they will suitably coact with front and back contacts 128 and 129 respectively. Said front and back contacts are carried by means of a bar 130 of insulating material suitably mounted to the pole shoes 69 sis and by means of screws 131. Terminal posts 132 are provided for the contacts andprovided on the outside of mechanism case 9 whereby all electrical connections to the mechanism may be made to outside terminal posts carried by panel 134 as shown more particularly in Figures 1, 2, and 4. The ter minal posts 135 will, of course, be electrically connected by suitable wiring, not shown, to

4 the various coils and contacts on the inside of the mechanism.

The case 9 is provided with an aperture 136 equipped with a plate glass cover 137 through which the rays of light emitted from the source 1 may pass. The cover 8 of the --mechanism case is provided with an aperture 188 properly equipped with an inspection glass 139 whereby the mechanism may be seen and the contacts inspected without removal of this cover. Formed in the cover 8 is a recess or well 140 properly equipped with a sealing glass 141 which is adapted to complete the closure of the mechanism case. The reflector and light carrying member 7 is adapted to fit snugly in the well 140 as shown at 142 there y aligning the reflector and light assembly with the axis of the signal. The member 7 is provided with suitable studs 143 arran ed in triangular formation. Upon these stu s a plate 144 is mounted bymeans of adjusting nuts 145 in such a way that the plate 144 may be moved longitudinally on the studs in equal or varying degrees thereby enabling the source of light 1 to be placed at the correct focal point of'the reflector 2. The plate 144 is adapted to carry an insulating member 145a to 'which' is attached a socket collar 146 adapted to support the base of bulb 147. The member 145a is further provided with a spring pressed stud 148 adapted to make electrical contact with the center contact of the bulb 147.

In order to make the reflector assembly readily removable from the signal mechanism it is arranged to hold it in place by means of spring clips 150 suitably attached to the cover 8 by means of rivets 151. Slots 152 are provided in the rear of member 7 whereby the member may he slipped into place, then rotated as indicated by the arrow in Figure 2, whereupon the spring end 153 will pass over a bump 154 formed on memher 7 dro ping intoa notch formed thereon thereby ocking the reflector assembly in place.

The operation of the mechanism is as follows: The field coil 75 is continuously energized, this forming the polarizing feature of the mechanism. In view of the balanced structure employed, this will not develo any torque to cause the armature to rotate. ow-

ever,'upon energization of the armature coil 79 the vanes of the armature will be caused to react against the pole shoes thereby causing the armature to rotate in a clockwise or counter clockwise direction in accordance 70 with the relative polarity of the armature current, thereby moving the respective spectacles into the axis of the light beam. It will be noted that in order to obtain a maximum torque and to obtain a straight line torque characteristic as nearly as possible the curvature 155 on the pole shoes 69 and 70 is not concentric with the axis of rotation but is deformed whereby the distance from the axis to the pole shoe increases as we approach the tips of the pole shoes. This formation has the effect of decreasing the torque somewhat at the commencement of the stroke and increasing the torque at the completion of the stroke, thereby giving more desirable operating results.

While I have described one embodiment of the invention, it is well understood that many departures can be made from the specific details of the structure without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim as new is 1. In a translating device for relays, light signals, and the like, a field structure having oppositely disposed parallel pole faces, a core in said field structure, tapered threaded plugs in the ends of said core to expand said core ends to securely unite said field structure and reduce air gap losses, and an armature structure comprising a horizontal core, and

oscillable plane vanes on said core arrangedto coactwith said pole face to be operated to either of two extreme positions.

' 2. In a translating device,- in combination,

a field structure, an armature, a spindle .mounting said armature to rock from a neutral to an extreme position, an eccentric pin on said armature, means cooperating with said pm to bias said armature toward said neutral position, and friction energyabsorbing means for absorbing energy vof movement of said spindle to prevent bobbing of said spindle.

3. In a translating device, in combination, a field structure, an armature, a spindle mounting said armature to rock from a neutral to an extreme position an eccentric pin i on said armature, means or ad'usting" the position of saidpin and then xing it in ad ustcd position, means cooperating with 'said pinto bias said armature toward said neutral position, and friction energy absorb-- ing means including a fly wheel resiliently mounted on' said spindle for absorbing energy of movement of said spindle to prevent bobbing of said spindle.

4. In a translating dev1ce, a field structure having oppositely disposed parallel plane pole faces, an armature structure 0 table to e ther of two extreme positions an comprisingfa horizontal core, oscillable plane vanes on; said core parallel with, and arranged to coact with, said poleqfaces, and eccentric pins from an extreme to a neutral position.

5. In 'a translating device, a field structure, an armature rockable to either of two extreme positions and comprisin a horizon tal core, oscillable vanes on sai core positioned to coact' with said field structure, ad-

I justable counterweighting means arranged to return-the armature structurefrom anextremefto a neutral position, and friction fly wheel means associated with said core to absorb energy and prevent bobbing when said armature is rocked to either extreme position. 4

6. In a translating device, a field structure, an armature structure comprising, a horizontal core, oscillable vanes on said core adapted to coact with said field structure to be operated to either of two extreme positions, ball bearingsfor said armature structure, removable endsto said bearings for in,- spection and cleaning, adjustable biasing means for said core to return it from an extreme position, and friction energy absorb-' "ing means for, said core to prevent bobbing when operated to an extreme position.

7. In a relay, in combination, a field structure including spaced parallel field plates,

magnetizing means for the field plates, a pivoted armature core substantially at right angles to said field plates, spaced armature plates carried by the core and. substantially parallel with said field plates, and ma netizing means for the armature plates, w ereby oscillation of the armature plates in planes parallel with said field platesrocks'the armature core.

8. In a relay, in combination, a field structure including spaced arallel field plates, magnetizing means fort e field lates, a ivoted armature core substantia ly at right angles to said field plates, spaced armature plates carried by the core and substantially parallel with s'aidfield plates, and magnetizing means-for the armature plates, whereby oscillationof the armature plates in planes parallel'with said field plates rocks the arma ture corfsaid field plates being cut out.

around the armature core to space the cut out edges non-concentrically from the core, whereby to improve the torque characteristics of the relay. I

v 9. In a relay, in combination, a field structure in the form of an open ended;box, a slot in each of two opposite sides of the box, a pivoted armature core passing through the slots, a plate like vane'carried by the core and parallel with the slotted sides of the box, and means for energizing the field structure and the armature structure.

structure and the armature structure.

11. In a relay, in combination, a field structure in the form of an open ended box, a slot in each of two opposite sides of the box, a pivoted armature core passing through the slots, a plate like vanecarried by the core'at each end and parallel with the slotted sides of the box, and means for energizing the field structure and the armature structure, the armature vanes being angula-rly displaced substantially 180 on the core, whereby to make the torque on the core, due to coaction between the vanes and the slotted sides of the box, additive. I

12. In a relay, in combination, a field structure in the form of an open ended box, a slot in each of two opposite sides of the box, a pivoted armature core passing through the slots, a plate like vane carried by the core and parallel with the slotted sides of the. box, and means for energizing the field structure and the armature structure, the slots in the sides of the box being curved and spacing the cut edges of the sides eccentrically to the armature core, whereby to improve the torque characteristics of the relay. In testimony whereof, I name to this specification.

' OSCAR S. FIELD. 

